Glennallen Flood Has Lasting Impacts
The high water mark on the outside of Carol Neeley’s home. Photo by Allison Sayer
June 1, 2023
Allison Sayer - CRR Staff
Pilot cars are no longer needed to help traffic navigate rushing water on the Glenn Highway, the sewer system is back up and running, and the ponds of water surrounding local businesses have largely disappeared. However, as of May 29, the structures most affected by the flood still had water underneath them.
When the water began rising around Carol Neeley’s home, community members attempted to save it with sandbags. When it was clear that was not going to be enough, friends, family, and helpers quickly acted to remove her belongings. Everything she owns is now in a box truck behind the house, and she is staying in a friend’s guest room.
Carol Neeley’s belongings stored in a box truck after floodwaters inundated her home. Photo by Allison Sayer
Since then, the flooring has been removed down to the subfloor. Fans and heaters are going throughout the building to prevent mold, but the insulation and quite a bit of drywall will have to be removed if Neeley decides to go forward with repairs. As of May 27, there was still water up to the floor of the building underneath, although it was no longer inside.
Neeley is not alone. She said her neighbors on the street have also suffered extensive damage, with some moving into campers because their homes are unlivable.
Neeley credits “scores of people” with helping her, wading through knee-deep water in the house to save a lifetime of possessions, including treasured artifacts. She noted especially that Kevin Valentine, Otis Brawner, and Don Bedrick were there immediately to help.
Throughout this difficult time, Neeley’s daughters Sharon Daniel and Shannon Saavedra have “stepped up” to be there for their mother. Another daughter who lives in the Lower 48 will also come up to Alaska soon.
Even little gestures, such as someone providing cookies and cupcakes for the people helping at her house, have moved her greatly, said Carol Neeley, “There must be angels among us.”
Neeley is not sure what her future plans are. The state disaster relief fund can provide a little over $20,000 towards repairs and that much again towards “personal effects.” That will not be nearly enough to cover the damage. She also wonders whether flooding in her location is “the new normal” and whether the building should be lifted if it is repaired.
It will take some time to decide, and Neeley will need more information about project costs and available assistance before she really knows what she is going to do.
One thing Neeley is thankful for is the out-pouring of support she has received. She said she has received numerous offers of places to stay. Even little gestures, such as someone providing cookies and cupcakes for the people helping at her house, have moved her greatly. “There must be angels among us,” she said, telling the story that a stranger took out his wallet and gave her some money when she went to the Tazlina Trading Post looking for boxes.
She says of her community, “We care for each other,” adding, “As soon as I pass Eureka, I’m on the ‘driveway to home.’” Although the situation is, in her words, “overwhelming,” she is trying to keep perspective. “It’s all just stuff,” she said, “God’s in control, and He doesn’t change.”
Additional structures around Glennallen, including among others, the library, the BLM office, the Legislative Information Office, the Old Paths Catholic Church, the Glennallen Pregnancy Center, the American Legion, and the New to You Thrift Store, were also inundated to varying degrees.
“More money is available for recovery than mitigation.”
—American Legion Commander Terry Keizer
According to local American Legion Commander Terry Keizer, the American Legion Hall basement has been pumped out eight times. The process was still ongoing as of May 29. Each time, the water is a little bit lower than the time before, but it keeps coming back. Items stored in the crawlspace and basement were mostly “unsalvageable.”
Keizer added that it has been difficult to find funds to raise the building to prevent future damage. He noted ruefully that it seems more money is available for “recovery” than “mitigation.”
Heike Wilmoth at New to You said that although the front of the store remained dry, there was about an inch of water covering the floor in much of the rear. A few items were damaged, but the biggest issue was that the floor itself was destroyed. She plans to replace sections one at a time. That way, she can purchase materials without taking out a loan and will not have to close the entire store for repairs.
Wilmoth did not know whether her helpers would like to be named in the paper, but she said there are many people who have helped and continue to pitch in. “It’s amazing the people who step up to the plate when you need it.”
A sign reads, “Pants free- got wet with flood water,” at the New to You Thrift Store in Glennallen. Photo by Allison Sayer
